PREPARATIONS are underway to launch the Christmas festivities across the Hambleton district.

Northallerton, Thirsk, Stokesley, Great Ayton, Easingwold and Bedale have a host of events planned for the run up to December 25.

The fun starts in Thirsk on November 24 with the Christmas lights and three-day Christmas Fayre. Great Ayton’s celebrations start the following day with the arrival of Santa, and a Christmas Fayre.

Christmas arrives in Easingwold on November 29 with the "Light Up a Life" service and Northallerton’s celebrations are packed into three days from December 1 with a tree festival and a Santa Sunday Elf run.

Bedale welcomes Christmas on December 2 with a Christmas market and festival, lights switch-on and Stokesley on December 7 with choirs, Santa’s Grotto, lights and late-night opening.